>I also use a series of what I call "packets" which I assign each>Monday, and which are due the following Monday. They are 6-8 page>packets of supplemental math puzzles, activities, or problem-solving>approaches that differ from the usual Investigations classwork and>address critical thinking, computation, and logic skills. Parents>enjoy seeing these additional packets come home because it gives them>something interesting to work on with their kids. I never photocopy>pages from traditional math textbooks that stress rote computation. In her message re: computational skills, Missy said:...>The packets are all varied and non-traditional. For example, for>about 6 weeks I did a series of packets on how to read a paycheck and>compute gross and net pay, how to calculate sales tax at different>percentages, how to set up a household budget, how to calculate loan>payments, and other financial management issues. The parents lovedit and the kids did too, surprisingly. Right now we are doing>Wollogoggles, which are funny and decidedly non-traditional. >

Missy, I would be very interested in your source for the materials youuse in the packets. I, too, have had some parent requests for moremath to do at home and this would be fun and fill that need. Thefinancial management activities and the Wollogoggles sound especiallygreat. If possible, please send those sources to my e-mail address,or post it here, or both, as I'm sure we all want extra math resourcesthat someone has actually used and had students like!